News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Ea For Water Purchase For San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 12, 2004

Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a proposed purchase of up to 8,500 acre-feet of water annually from the Stevinson Water District in Merced County. The water would be used to help meet the water needs at the East Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.

Reclamation must acquire water to provide increased water deliveries to wetland habitat areas in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in accordance with the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Section 3406(d)(2). The Water Acquisition Program implements this CVPIA requirement by acquiring water to meet the prescribed refuge water supplies.

The Draft EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Draft EA describes the potential environmental impacts, beneficial and adverse, associated with the proposed alternatives.

The documents are available for a 30-day comment period that ends April 12, 2004. Copies of the documents are available online at: www.mp.usbr.gov/cvpia/wap/index.htm under Environmental Documents. Written comments should be sent to the Bureau of Reclamation, Water Acquisitions Program Manger, MP-410, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898.

For additional information or to request a printed copy of the draft documents, contact Mary Grim at 916-978-5204 (TDD 916-978-5606).

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.